Yoga Philosophy
The Yoga Philosophy Certificate Program provides a foundational introduction to the philosophic traditions of India. This program is designed for Yoga teachers and students of Yoga who have an interest in learning about the rich traditions associated with Yoga practice. These include Classical Yoga, various schools of Hinduism (Shaiva, Vaishnava, and various forms of devotionalism), Buddhism, and Jainism.
General Information
Participants take courses in the core texts of the Yoga system as well as the study of the Sanskrit language, which inform yoga philosophy. In addition, students are invited to explore the diversity within historical and contemporary yoga traditions by taking three to five of our many elective courses. New courses and events are offered each semester. All courses will be taught by leading scholars and advanced practitioners with specialized training, some of whom are university faculty. Completing the program in a university setting ensures an education from qualified teachers.
Upon successful completion of 120 hours of study, students are eligible to receive a certificate in Yoga Philosophy from LMU Extension. Students are also welcome to enroll in courses for personal enrichment without pursuing a certificate. Most courses provide ten hours of instruction; others provide 20 hours of instruction. Students must complete twelve units (continuing education units) of study, including seven units in five required courses, and five units of elective course work. Some requirements may be waived if you can demonstrate completion of course equivalents elsewhere. Students must maintain a grade point average of B or higher.
Registration
Submit an enrollment form for the program via direct mail, or contact LMU Extension at 310.338.1971 to handle your enrollment over the phone. You can also register for courses individually online below.
SCHEDULE
Core Course Requirements
Course requirements are listed below for the Certificate in Yoga Philosophy, awarded by the Center for Religion and Spirituality in LMU Extension. Participants must enroll in, and complete each of the required five courses (seven units). Some requirements may be waived if you can demonstrate completion of course equivalents elsewhere. Not all courses will offered the same semester.
Sanskrit I 
ENROLL
Course Number: YGPX 800.01
Schedule: Saturdays and Sundays, January 23 - February 7, 2010 (Two Weekends)
Instructor: John Casey, PhD
This two-weekend intensive introduction is intended to provide students with a foundational understanding of the legacy and unique qualities of the Sanskrit language and to serve as an effective springboard for those who wish to embark on Sanskrit translation efforts. The emphasis of the first weekend is on the sound system of Sanskrit and the traditional Indian writing system known as Devanagari. Basic principles of proper pronunciation will be demonstrated by directing attention to many Sanskrit technical terms used in yoga and meditation traditions, including the names of yogic asanas and the chanting of select mantras and seed syllables. During the second weekend, students will be broadly introduced to the essential linguistic elements required for translation work, including the rules of sandhi or “euphonic combination” and the basic grammatical principles underlying the conjugation of verbs and the declension of nouns. Serious students may proceed to Sanskrit II, which starts a couple of weeks later.
Yoga Sutra of Patanjali ENROLL
Course Number: YGPX 816.01
Schedule: 1st Sundays of the Month, January 3 - June 6, 2010
Instructor: Christopher Key Chapple, PhD
The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali is perhaps the seminal work on the meaning and purpose of Yoga, exploring movements, breathing, meditation and liberation. In this line-by-line study we will explore and chant the Sanskrit text in the original and in translation. The sessions listed below are the continuation of a class which began in September, though new registrations are welcome (past classes are available online). Please call for more information.
Samkhya Karika ENROLL
Course Number: YGPX 817.01
Schedule: Thursdays, February 25 - March 25, 2010
Instructor: John Casey, PhD
The Samkhya Karika by Ishvarakrishna is the root text of the Samkhya system, which is regarded as one of the six darshanas or foundational perspectives of orthodox Hindu thought. Consisting of only seventy-five aphorisms, the Samkhya Karika outlines a basic metaphysical perspective that informs some of the core teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, and the traditions of hatha yoga, tantra, and Kashmir Shaivism. In this five-week course, we will thoroughly examine the concepts of purusha and prakriti, the three gunas, and the other twenty tattvas or metaphysical principles outlined by the system. Students will gain an enhanced understanding of the concept of moksha or spiritual liberation as understood in the Indic contemplative traditions.
Upanishads
Course Number: YGPX 818.01
The Upanishads constitute the philosophical insights of the early sages of India and also document some of the earliest practices of Yoga. Study the key ideas of the Upanishads, including non-dualism, the identity between Self (Atman) and Supreme Consciousness (Brahman), and the ineffability of the absolute.
Bhagavad Gita
Course Number: YGPX 819.01
The Bhagavad Gita encapsulates the primary features of Yoga practice. It narrates the story of a confused warrior seeking counsel from his charioteer (Lord Krishna) who illuminates the nature of various Yoga practices. Learn key Sanskrit verses, read through and discuss the entire text, and explore the meaning of such topics as the three gunas (core constituents of reality) and visionary consciousness.
Elective Course Requirements
Participants must complete five units of elective course work in Yoga Philosophy (YGPX). Some requirements may be waived if you can demonstrate completion of course equivalents elsewhere. You can view current course offerings here.
FACULTY
John Casey, PhD teaches in LMU's Department of Theological Studies and is a specialist in the meditative traditions of India.
Christopher Key Chapple, PhD is the Navin and Pratima Doshi Professor of Indic and Comparative Theology at Loyola Marymount University. Professor Chapple's research interests have focused on the renouncer religious traditions of India: Yoga, Jainism, and Buddhism. He has published several books, including
Karma and Creativity (1986), a co-translation of the
Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (1991) and
Nonviolence to Animals, Earth, and Self in Asian Traditions (1993),
Hinduism and Ecology (2000), a co-edited volume,
Jainism and Ecology: Nonviolence in the Web of Life (2002) and
Reconciling Yogas (2003).
Elena Christova, PhD received her doctorate in Comparative Literature at UCLA. She has served as Director of a distance-learning M.A. program in Humanities at CSDH. E. Christova teaches spiritual courses and meditation and does healing in the tradition of her master, Sri Kaleshwar.
GUEST FACULTY
Laura Amazzone, MA is a Fulbright scholar who completed her Masters degree in Philosophy and Religion, with emphasis in Women's Spirituality and Asian Comparative Studies at the California Institute of Integral Studies in 2001. Laura's work focuses on the myths and rituals of the Shakta Tantra tradition and goddesses in India and Nepal . Laura is presently completing a spiritual memoir and cultural account on the Goddess Durga in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal that will be published with University Press of America in late fall 2009. She is also working on a documentary film based on her research on Durga and life experience.
Venerable Kusala Bhikshu is an American born Bhikshu (monk) ordained in the Zen tradition of Vietnam. In 1994 Kusala took novice vows, and was given the Dharma name Kusala Ratana Karuna (skillful jewel of compassion). In 1996 he received full ordination as a Bhikshu, and was given the name Thich Tam-Thien (heavenly heart mind). Ven. Kusala lives and works at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in the Koreatown section of Los Angeles. He leads meditation and discussion groups at the Center and continues to give presentations at local high schools, colleges and churches on Buddhism and social action.
Venerable Jongmae Kenneth Park, DDh,
ordained as a Zen monk in 1974. He founded 12 Buddhist temples worldwide and currently a bishop of Korean Buddhist Taego order. He earned a doctoral degree from College of Buddhist Studies in L.A. He is an adjunct professor in the Department of Theological Studies at Loyola Marymount University.
Eric Shaw, MA, a doctoral student in Hindus Studies, is writing a history of modern yoga for Anusara Press. He teaches yoga in San Francisco. His work brings over 30 years of movement, meditation and scholarly practice to the teaching novel styles of vinyasa yoga.
Ashley Turner, MA is an acclaimed yoga/meditation teacher, writer and holistic psychotherapist in LA and NY, specializing in Yoga Psychology. Spotlighted as a mind-body expert in numerous print and online publications, she is a passionate leader in the synthesis of Eastern and Western philosophy, known for her intelligent fusion of spirituality, psychology and modern science. Incorporating Tantra, Shamanism, Advaita Vedanta, Feminine Spirituality and Insight Meditation into her multi-dimensional practice, she is on the faculty at Kripalu, co-leads Teacher Trainings and is the creator of several yoga DVD’s. Ashley teaches at Exhale in LA and Pure Yoga in NYC and leads transformational workshops and retreats worldwide.